ACADEMY 2025: STAGE COMBAT
Kiki & David Gindler Performing Arts Center
6:30 - 9:30pm
$425 for 6 Weeks
This Academy Class is designed for professional actors at every stage of their career, from those just starting out to seasoned performers looking to refine their craft.
One of the tools any well-rounded actor should have in their back pocket is the ability to perform stage violence. Nothing worse than seeing a good Hamlet through 5 Acts only to have him be laughable in the climactic fight scene. Having the basic knowledge and vocabulary of combat means that you can audition for, and accept more highly physical roles, and add those skills to your resume. When you find yourself up for a physical role, you can go into the audition with confidence, and when you accept the role you can tell a story rather than just perform a “fight”.
This class will explore the basic tools that actors should have when faced with a physical altercation in a play or film, and is called Combat and Violence, because most of what you will be asked to perform won’t necessarily be “combat,” but could be falling down the stairs or ripping off your festering toenail.
Understanding how our bodies react to violence and where that strength and power comes from, is what we’ll begin to learn. To fall, tumble, slap or be slapped; that is the question. In this class, we’ll learn techniques and perform hand-to-hand combat moves with precision and control, yet with strength, power, and the fully committed intention of the character. We’ll also begin to learn the basics of swordplay focusing on movement and footwork.
And because we all want to be able to do every show, 8 shows a week, or multiple takes on set, our focus will always be, safety first.
February 18, February 25, March 4, March 11, March 18, March 25
